Name some fights where Fighter A could have or should have fought Fighter B, didn't, but would have been an excellent addition to his resume or a big pay day. Maybe Fighter B had gotten old that night (Ali-Cotto) or was exposed (Bute-Froch). Examples: This content is protected Mikey could very well have beaten that Cotto and would have the best name on his resume, increased exposure, and received his biggest pay day This content is protected Mikey most likely would have gotten his ears boxed off, but lands a single punch that opens up Jorge's face and ends up stopping him Thunder stolen by Lomachenko This content is protected Both passed on Pacquiao for a huge pay day of 4 million dollars to lose to Thurman/Garcia for 2 and 1 million dollars I believe both guys passed on the fight because they thought that they would emerge victorious and command a higher purse against Pacquiao This content is protected Bute is the only guy you could say that Ward legitimately ducked Ward would have won, but he let Froch steal that piece of glory This content is protected Slightly tougher than David Diaz, but Pacquiao would have stopped Baby Bull — EASILY Better for the resume than David
Salido vs Davis We get it, he didn't want to lose his career highlight by getting embarassed by Loma in a rematch. But he also turned down Tank for what was also a hefty payday. Instead, Salido goes on to get stopped by a b level brawler for a portion of the money instead of going out against one of two much better fighters that wouldn't have been as embarrasing to lose to.
Winky vs De La Hoya Turned down a career high payday for a fight he had very good chance of winning and getting a double pauday in a rematch or even trilogy.
Cotto was completely shot and brought nothing to the table for Mikey. If a scrub like Sadam Ali can beat him it says all we need to know. Garcia wouldn't have got any credit for destroying an old legend like Cotto. In all honesty Mikey fighting Linares would've been a step backwards, since he would've easily knocked Linares out. Linares can box and has good handspeed, but can't punch and he has very little durability. Beating Broner did more for Mikey's career than beating Linares ever could. Garcia and Broner made the right decision to pass of PAC, since PAC is shot now and losing to him now is a bad look. Garcia losing to Thurman isn't a big deal, since Thurman is in his prime and is the number 1 fighter at 147. This is also the case with Broner, who at this point would much rather take a loss to an undefeated top fighter like Mikey rather than an old and shot PAC, who's drawing power is pretty much gone now.
Loma never paid Salido the $1 million he asked for. If Loma would've paid Salido the rematch would've happened and Salido would've beat him again. Loma like GGG tries to lowball opponents and then when they can't land good opponents act surprised. Loma paid Linares, who posed no threat to Loma over $1 million, but he wouldn't pay the man that beat him that.
Loma and tank both offered Salido FAR more than he made in his retirement fight. The fact that he didn't get 1million is irrelevant.
Brook Vargas Instead Brook went to fight GGG after negotiations broke down. Yes he got more money- but Brook would have been WBO and IBF WW champ and could have chased more unifications, they could have done huge numbers themselves
Wilder should have fought Vlad and should fight Joshua. However, Salido made a huge mistake by refusing to rematch Lomachenko for a big payday, instead he waited and lost to a nobody!
Good should with Salido. Acted like a diva by pricing himself out, then goes on to get stopped by a lesser opponent for peanuts and thus blows any chance of earning a good payday ever again.
I'll never understand a few of the career moves Winky made. They were horrendous. (ie...the Hopkins fight ) Paul Williams vs Pavlik. Instead Sergio hops in, beats Pavlik and carves out a MW legacy.
Quillin - Andy Lee. Peter binned his belt and career high payday because his 'brilliant' adviser told him to.